Almost ashamed to call myself a Michigander

I've seen it bandied about in some news media sites that Michigan governor Whitmer may be pegged as a running mate for the Democrat contender.
Normally, this would surprise me, as Michigan never seemed to me to be an overly political state. Maybe because I grew up far from the lights of the big city and never really gave a fuck for the bigger picture during my formative (read that juvenile delinquent) years.
But the arrival of the corona virus to the shores of this lake-locked state has opened my eyes. Since the cesspit of Detroit has become the epicenter of our part in this pandemic and it's slowly spreading outward to encompass the surrounding counties and towns, Whitmer has been making her updates on the networks to the annoyance of we, her constituents.
And I can understand her being pegged as the darling of the democrats.
Rather than offer condolences to those suffering, or support to the folks of her state by presenting words of hope and assurances, she spends her on-air time blaming the federal government for not supplying enough medical aid to our under stocked hospitals and health workers.
She takes NO responsibility for the inadequacies of HER readiness. Admits to NO fault in our lack of facility in handling this crisis.
Where the fuck is the independent streak of the people of Michigan that formed my own belief in responsibility and self sufficiency? The folks I ran across up to the self imposed exile I now find myself in didn't appear to me to be cowering in fear. They were doing what needed to be done in order to overcome this situation.
The farms and towns of this state will get through this. There will be pain. There will be loss. There will be hardship.
What there WON'T be will be accusations against others for our own shortcomings and lack of resources that WE failed to accumulate beforehand.
And as I'm typing this, Whitmer just came back on to give her "latest breaking news".
Interesting how she IMMEDIATELY starts out saying how unprepared we as a state are. And how it's the federal government's fault.
I REALLY hate this bitch. How in the HELL dare she try to represent TRUE MICHIGANDERS?

Y'all know I'm a prepper, right?

Prepping for shit to happen just makes sense to me. I got enough toilet paper to last a couple of months before I run out. Just sayin'.
I just moved, and one of the first things I procured for my new home was chickens. A steady supply of protein rich eggs are always good, and baked chicken ain't so bad either. The rabbits I brought with me, and it's just about the time of year to start breeding them to sell and restock my breeders, then sit down to a nice dinner with the older ones... I always know it's breeding time about when I'm getting my garden itch and thinking about homegrown vegetables.....
There is also abundant wildlife here, and just last night I caught the raccoon eating my feed corn in a live trap. I released him this time with a stern warning, but if he catches again, I'm making chili.
Don't get this all wrong though. I'm not huddled in a cement bunker waiting for the fires of hell to rain down on mankind. I got an electric Mr. Coffee I make my morning magic in, then sit on my sofa by the living room garage-door-sized window (which is actually a glass paned garage door...) And read my emails on my phone. Which is more complicated than most computers I've ever owned...
I read one this morning about testing your 72 hour kit. You know the one; keeps you alive and as comfortable as possible for the supposed three days it'll take you to walk to your redoubt when society is collapsing all around you. Don't laugh. There are a LOT of folks that think if society falls, they can walk somewhere in three days where they'll be nice and safe. God bless 'em!

I actually do have a bag. A Get-Home-Bag. It's got everything I think I need if my car dies (EMP anyone?) and I have to walk home. And most of that shit is my everyday-carry of gear and doodads in my pockets anyway. I almost had to test this theory not long ago as I got a flat and realized an old neighbor of mine had not only NOT put my jack back after using it, but the jack handle he replaced in the trunk was the WRONG ONE for my tire lug nuts... Freezing cold Michigan winter's day... Wife only wore her tennis shoes... Did I ever mention how great my neighbor/landlord/new best buddy is? He rates a post of his own here, trust me!

Oops. I got sidetracked again... Anyway, back to my story: It struck me funny when I read an old comment from the aforementioned article about one person's thoughts. I ALWAYS read the comments of articles online. Half the time they have better info than the original author. But this one was great:

1. 

   Dave Anderson

   October 5, 2018
   I think that you bring up a good point about testing a preparedness plan and making sure we will have everything. I don’t think in a disaster that we will have time to go over a checklist of things that we have or need. I would love to purchase a survival kit and then test it out to make sure my plan is foolproof.
   
   
2. Can someone puh-lease tell me why jackrods like this even waste time on prepper articles? There is NO survival kit available to buy that is proof against fools like this. Better bet will be for this guy to sit in place and wait for the government to come. Should be there soon... Uh... Anytime now..... 
3. 
   
4. And a final note: my wife's boots, which I KNOW she doesn't like wearing, are now part of my Get-home-gear in the trunk...